Politicians unite on Indigenous recognition vote

Politicians unite on Indigenous recognition vote

The House of Representatives has passed legislation recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first inhabitants of Australia.

Julia Gillard says a referendum on constitutional change to recognise Indigenous people is important work for a new generation. (Credit: ABC)

The bill is considered an interim step on the path towards an eventual referendum for constitutional change.

Its passage through the Lower House was greeted with applause from the public gallery and coincides with the five year anniversary on which former prime minister Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described the legislation as a "sign of good faith" that Parliament is committed to righting the wrongs of previous actions.

World partners:

This service includes material from AAP, Agence France-Presse, APTN, BBC, CNN, Getty, Pacnews, Reuters and other agencies which is copyright and cannot be reproduced, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written consent.